Earlier this year, the LEGO Technic 42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car set was released, showcasing a range of new and interesting LEGO elements. As a set designed for remote control functionality and featuring the Top Gear branding, it naturally highlights some key “Top Gear Car Parts” that are worth exploring for LEGO enthusiasts and car part aficionados alike. This article dives into the standout components of this set, examining their design and potential applications.
Priced at $129.99 for 463 pieces, the LEGO Technic Top Gear Rally Car set might seem expensive at first glance. However, a closer look reveals that a significant portion of the cost is attributed to the inclusion of advanced Powered Up components, which are essential “top gear car parts” for its app-controlled features.
While I’m familiar with the Top Gear show and the iconic Stig, my focus here is on the LEGO elements themselves, particularly the new and noteworthy “top gear car parts” introduced in this set. Let’s delve into the build process and highlight these components as we go.
Building with Top Gear Car Parts
The unboxing experience reveals a well-organized set with an instruction manual, sticker sheet, and four bags of LEGO parts. Interestingly, a separate inner box is included, numbered 6318336, which houses the electronic “top gear car parts”: the Bluetooth Hub & Battery Box, a ‘L’ Powered Up Motor, and a ‘XL’ Powered Up Motor.
It’s worth noting that the inclusion of this rigid inner box might have contributed to some bending of the manual and sticker sheets in some cases.
Steps 1-33: Assembling the Core “Top Gear Car Parts”
The initial phase of the build, steps 1-33, focuses on constructing a robust assembly that integrates the larger of the two motors. This section is particularly significant as it introduces the new differential housing and gear components – key “top gear car parts” for the rally car’s drivetrain. Even for someone not deeply familiar with LEGO Technic, the redesigned differential is immediately noticeable. It utilizes 12-tooth bevel gears that slot into place, a departure from older designs requiring careful peg attachments.
Following the differential assembly and motor integration, the battery box is attached. This “top gear car part” becomes quite substantial after inserting 6 AA batteries. It’s designed for 1.5v batteries, but rechargeable NIMH batteries with a slightly lower 1.2v also function correctly. This new Powered Up battery box is a notable “top gear car part” upgrade as it incorporates a Bluetooth chipset directly, eliminating the need for a separate hub, unlike previous iterations. This integration likely reduces space requirements and manufacturing costs for LEGO.
Steps 34-64: Integrating Steering “Top Gear Car Parts”
Moving into steps 34-64, the build progresses to completing the central structure of the vehicle. This involves incorporating the second, smaller motor, which powers the rack and pinion steering system for the front wheels. These steering mechanisms are crucial “top gear car parts” for the rally car’s maneuverability. This stage also includes cable management using the relatively new Axle and Wire connector (part 49283), a “top gear car part” specifically designed for the flat cables used in the Powered Up system.
With the core mechanics in place, the model is prepared for the exterior bodywork, setting the stage for the visual completion of the Top Gear Rally Car.
Steps 65-118: Finalizing the Exterior “Top Gear Car Parts”
The final build phase, steps 65-118, focuses on constructing the exterior of the rally car. This is typical for Technic sets, where the internal mechanisms are built first, followed by the outer shell. It’s conceivable that the car could be driven in a rudimentary form after step 64, just by attaching the wheels.
Applying the numerous stickers would significantly extend the build time in this section. However, for this review, the stickers were omitted to streamline the process, resulting in a slightly less visually detailed model than depicted on the box.
New and Notable “Top Gear Car Parts”
This LEGO Technic Top Gear Rally Car set introduces several new and interesting “top gear car parts”, enhancing both functionality and building techniques.
Brand New Parts: Differential and Gear
- Gear Differential Housing (part 65414) in 194Medium Stone GreyLight Bluish Gray: This is a completely new “top gear car part” designed for improved differential performance.
- 28-tooth Gear, Double Bevel (part 65413) in 21Bright RedRed: This gear is designed to work in conjunction with the new differential housing, creating a more robust and efficient differential system.
These new differential components represent a significant advancement in LEGO Technic gear systems, offering improved durability and smoother operation for complex models.
Existing Parts in New Colors
- 3×5×3 Curved Panel (part 24116, marked 35356) in 21Bright RedRed (x2): While not new molds, these curved panels in bright red add to the visual appeal and offer more color options for builders.
- 9×2×3 Mudguard (part 42531) in 1White (x5): Similarly, these mudguards in white expand the color palette of available “top gear car parts”, useful for creating diverse vehicle designs.
Relatively New Parts: Frames, Connectors, and Powered Up System
- 7×11 Technic Frame (part 39794) in 1White (x2): Introduced in 2019, these frames are still relatively new and provide a strong structural element for larger Technic models.
- Axle and Wire Connector (part 49283) in 21Bright RedRed & 24Bright YellowYellow (x4 total): These connectors, also from 2019, are essential “top gear car parts” for managing the wiring of the Powered Up system, keeping builds tidy and functional.
- Powered Up Bluetooth Hub & Battery Box (part bb0961c01) in 194Medium Stone GreyLight Bluish Gray: This integrated hub and battery box is a core “top gear car part” for modern LEGO Technic sets, enabling Bluetooth control and simplifying electronics integration.
- Powered Up L Motor (part bb0959c01) & XL Motor (part bb0960c01) in 199Dark Stone GreyDark Bluish Gray (x2 total): These Powered Up motors are vital “top gear car parts” for providing the movement and power to the rally car, allowing for precise and app-controlled driving.
These relatively new parts, especially the Powered Up components, are crucial “top gear car parts” that define the functionality and modern design of the LEGO Technic 42109 set.
Conclusion: Evaluating the “Top Gear Car Parts” and Set Value
Expectations for the LEGO Technic 42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car should be tempered by its piece count. It’s not a massive model overflowing with features, but it serves as an accessible introduction to the Powered Up system and offers a fun, app-controlled driving experience. Pairing with the Control+ app on an Android phone was seamless, providing two control modes: thumb-based steering and phone tilt steering. While phone tilt steering is preferred, the inability to control speed via phone rotation is a minor drawback. The top speed, while adequate for indoor play, could be faster for larger spaces.
The $130 price tag remains a significant point of discussion, especially for a 463-piece set. While the inclusion of three electronic “top gear car parts” – the Bluetooth Hub (approx. $20), L Motor ($10), and XL Motor ($10) – partially justifies the cost, even after accounting for these, the price per piece remains higher than average.
Despite the innovative “top gear car parts” and Powered Up functionality, the LEGO Technic 42109 App-controlled Top Gear Rally Car may be a hard sell at full price, unless you are a dedicated Top Gear fan or find it on sale. Its “Acceptable (2/5 star)” rating reflects this balance of interesting components against a high price and somewhat limited overall excitement.
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